Avoid Sleep Deprivation
You can begin building your study skills just by getting a good night’s sleep!  Sleep is very important for doing well in school.  Without the proper amount or rest, you will not be able to do well, even with the best study skills!  Eating breakfast will also help you stay healthy while scoring good study skills!

Create Assignment Book
Now that you are awake and alert, check your backpack to see if you have a “daily agenda” or one main notebook for jotting down homework assignments.  If you don’t have one, make your own by cutting up sheets of notebook paper and stapling them together.  Coloring the cover in a bright color (or using a different material for the cover) will help you locate the book quickly in your backpack.  This way, you can write down everything, even if the teacher gives the assignment as you are walking out of the door for you next class!

Organize Your Notes
Next, try reviewing your old notes from school.  If your notes are messy or hard to find, try to put them into one binder with tabs clearly labeling each subject.  Organizing your notes will help you organize your mind!  This will help you a lot when it comes time to study for a test!  Keeping a clean desk or locker at school will also help you find the required text books, even if you are running to catch the bus!

Improve Study Environment
OK, now that your notebook and homework assignments are organized, take a look at your study habits.  If you find yourself doing your homework in front of the TV when you are at home, try turning it off and moving to the kitchen table or some other well-lit, quiet and comfortable location.  Perhaps your local library would be a good place for you to study?  If not, brainstorm other locations that are safe and easy to get to for studying.

Get Focused
Once you are settled in your cozy new study area, keep your focus.  Clear any extra thoughts from your head that are not related to the tasks at hand and think only about your work at that moment.  Looking through your agenda book to review the day’s assignments will help you get focused!

Track Completed Assignments
As you finish each homework assignment, check off each completed task in your agenda book.  This will give you the great feeling of accomplishment, making you want to do your other assignments.  Don’t procrastinate!  Putting off your homework until the last minute will make it too stressful for you to complete the work well and understand everything.

Take Notes
Taking notes on key ideas while doing your homework will also help you organize your thoughts and better understand the material.  This will be very helpful when you have to study for the test!  If you have questions on anything while you are studying, ask a parent or teacher for help.  Otherwise, contact a friend or classmate.  They cannot only give you the help you need, they can also make learning fun!

Give Your Mind a Break
Finally, be sure to take breaks every now and then. Stretching your body will also help you stretch your mind and help you refocus on the tasks at hand.  If you have a hard time remembering to take breaks, bring a kitchen timer or alarm clock with you to go off every half hour or so.  Force yourself to get up and take a brief walk into the next room, for example.

Having good study skills will allow you to do better in school and feel better about yourself.  Visit anyone of the online references or read one of the books listed in the offline resource section for additional hints and tips!